Francis J. Hickey, MD

Medical Director, Anna and John J. Sie Center for Down Syndrome, Children’s Hospital Colorado and
Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome, Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado School of Medicine

Dr. Francis J. Hickey joined the Linda Crnic Institute for Down Syndrome as Medical Director of its Anna and John J. Sie Center for Down Syndrome in 2010. Since that time, Dr. Hickey has put together a multi-disciplinary team of experts with more than 80 years of combined experience in caring for children with Down syndrome and developmental disabilities. The Sie Center for Down Syndrome has evaluated nearly 1000 individuals with Down Syndrome from across the country and internationally the past 4 years.

Dr. Hickey was attracted to his position as director of the Sie Center because it allows him to organize the best medical and therapeutic intervention available for children with Down syndrome. Dr. Hickey and his team have developed relationships with over 15 subspecialists in pediatrics who have an interest in caring for children with Down syndrome and maximizing their potential. Simultaneously, Dr. Hickey oversees clinical research that will significantly impact evidenced-based healthcare guidelines for this often overlooked population. The Sie Center is based at the Children’s Hospital Colorado (ranked among the top 10 in the nation by News & World Report 2014).

Previously, Dr. Hickey served for 21 years as an adjunct Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at the University Of Cincinnati College Of Medicine. During that time, he was a key architect of, and support to, the Jane and Richard Thomas Center for Down Syndrome at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Hickey has directed a number of research projects related to development in individuals with Down syndrome and with the additional diagnosis of autism. He has authored or co-authored numerous articles and abstracts in scholarly publications on the topic. He has a keen interest in furthering many areas of research for children with Down syndrome including sleep apnea, auto immune disorders, language, and behavioral challenges.

Recognized as one of “America’s Top Doctors” for ten years, Dr. Hickey has received numerous awards including the Maxwell J. Schleifer Distinguished Service Award from Exceptional Parenting Magazine, Professional of the Year award and Lifetime Achievement Award from the Down Syndrome Association of Greater Cincinnati, The Ross Award for Excellence in Ambulatory Pediatrics, and the Senior Resident Teaching Award in Pediatrics.

Dr. Hickey earned his undergraduate degree from Harvard University and his medical degree from the University Of Cincinnati College Of Medicine. He completed his pediatric residency at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center and a fellowship in Developmental Pediatrics at Boston Children’s Hospital.

Dr. Hickey and his wife, Kris, are the parents of four children, one of whom has the dual diagnosis of Down syndrome and autism.